How to delete your Otter.ai account
To delete your Otter.ai account, log in to your account, go to Settings, select Account, and choose the delete or deactivate option. Otter.ai will ask you to confirm the deletion and may offer a waiting period before the account is permanently removed. After deletion, your recordings and transcripts stored on Otter.ai's servers will be erased, though you should read any files you want to keep before starting the process.
The exact steps depend on whether you use Otter.ai on the web, mobile app, or both. The web version gives you the most control over your account settings. If you signed up through a third-party service like Google or Microsoft, you may need to revoke Otter.ai's permission to access your account separately after deletion.
Key Takeaways
- read your recordings and transcripts before deleting your account, because Otter.ai removes all stored files when the account is deleted.
- Log in through the web version at otter.ai, not the mobile app, to access the full account deletion settings.
- Otter.ai may place your account in a deactivation period lasting several days before permanent deletion, giving you time to cancel if you change your mind.
- If you signed up using Google, Microsoft, or Apple credentials, you should also revoke Otter.ai's permission in your third-party account settings after deletion.
Steps to delete your account on the web
Open a web browser and go to otter.ai. Log in with your email and password. Click your profile icon or avatar in the top right corner of the screen, then select Settings from the dropdown menu.
In Settings, look for the Account tab or section. Scroll down until you see an option labeled Delete Account, Deactivate Account, or Close Account — the exact wording varies depending on when your account was created. Click that option. Otter.ai will display a warning explaining that deletion is permanent and that all your recordings and transcripts will be removed. Read this carefully, then confirm that you want to proceed.
You may be asked to enter your password again to verify your identity. Do this, then submit the deletion request. Otter.ai will send a confirmation email to the address associated with your account. Some accounts enter a deactivation period of 7 to 14 days before permanent deletion; during this time, you can log back in and cancel the deletion if you change your mind.
Downloading your files before deletion
Before you delete your account, log in and go to your Recordings or Library section. Select the recordings or transcripts you want to save. Otter.ai allows you to export transcripts as text files or PDFs, and to read audio files in MP3 or WAV format, depending on your subscription level.
If you have many files, this process can take time. Start by selecting a few important recordings and exporting them to test the process. Save them to a folder on your computer or cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox. Once you confirm the files downloaded correctly, you can continue with the rest of your library.
If you have a paid subscription, you may have access to more export options than free account holders. Check your subscription level in Settings to see what formats are available to you before you begin downloading.
What happens to your data after deletion
Once your account is permanently deleted, Otter.ai removes all recordings, transcripts, and account information from its servers. You will no longer be able to log in or recover any files. This is why downloading your files beforehand is critical — there is no way to retrieve them after deletion is complete.
Otter.ai's privacy policy states that some data may be retained for legal or business purposes for a limited time after deletion, but your recordings and transcripts are not part of this retention. If you are concerned about how long Otter.ai keeps backup copies of deleted data, you can contact their support team before deletion to ask about their data retention practices.
Revoking access if you used a third-party login
If you created your Otter.ai account by signing in with Google, Microsoft, or Apple instead of using an email address, you should revoke Otter.ai's permission to access your account after deletion. This prevents Otter.ai from being able to access your Google, Microsoft, or Apple account in the future, even though your Otter.ai account no longer exists.
To revoke access on Google, go to myaccount.google.com, click Security in the left menu, scroll to Third-party apps with account access, and find Otter.ai in the list. Click it and select Remove Access. For Microsoft, go to account.microsoft.com, click Apps & devices, then App permissions, find Otter.ai, and click Remove. For Apple, go to appleid.apple.com, click Password and Security, scroll to Apps Using Your Apple ID, find Otter.ai, and click Remove.
Canceling a subscription before deletion
If you have a paid Otter.ai subscription, you should cancel it before deleting your account. Canceling the subscription stops future charges, while deleting the account removes your access to the service. Some payment processors may continue charging if the subscription is not canceled first, even after account deletion.
To cancel your subscription, log in to Otter.ai, go to Settings, and look for Subscription, Billing, or Plan. Click the option to cancel or downgrade your plan. Otter.ai will ask you to confirm and may offer a discount to keep you as a customer. If you want to proceed with cancellation, confirm your choice. You will receive a confirmation email. After the subscription is canceled, you can proceed with deleting your account.
Troubleshooting deletion problems
If you cannot find the delete account option in Settings, try logging out and logging back in, or try accessing your account from a different web browser. Sometimes browser cache or cookies can prevent the deletion option from appearing. If the problem persists, try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, then log in again.
If you receive an error message when trying to delete your account, or if the deletion process does not complete, contact Otter.ai support through their website. Go to otter.ai/support or look for a Help or Contact Us link in your account Settings. Describe the error you are seeing and include your account email address. Support staff can help you complete the deletion manually if the self-service option is not working.
If you are locked out of your account and cannot log in to delete it, use the Forgot Password link on the Otter.ai login page to reset your password. Once you regain access, follow the deletion steps above. If you still cannot access your account, contact support and explain that you need to delete an account you cannot log into.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover my account after it is deleted?
No. Once the deactivation period ends and your account is permanently deleted, Otter.ai cannot restore it. All your recordings, transcripts, and account settings are erased. If you think you might want to use Otter.ai again in the future, consider deactivating your account temporarily instead of deleting it, if that option is available to you.
Will deleting my Otter.ai account affect my Google or Microsoft account?
Deleting your Otter.ai account will not delete or damage your Google or Microsoft account. However, you should still revoke Otter.ai's permission to access those accounts separately, as described above, to remove the connection between services.
What if I have a shared Otter.ai workspace with other people?
If you are part of a shared workspace, deleting your account will remove you from that workspace. Other members will still have access to shared recordings and transcripts, but your personal files will be deleted. Contact your workspace administrator if you need to transfer ownership of files before you delete your account.
How long does it take for my account to be completely deleted?
Otter.ai typically places your account in a deactivation period of 7 to 14 days before permanent deletion. During this time, you can cancel the deletion by logging back in. After the deactivation period ends, deletion is permanent and cannot be undone.
Do I need to delete my account to stop being charged?
No. Canceling your subscription stops future charges without deleting your account. You can keep your account and your files while straightforward downgrading to the free plan. Delete your account only if you want to remove all your data and completely stop using Otter.ai.